Canadian Immigration Questions and Answers with Attorney David Cohen

Every month, Attorney David Cohen will answer a few general Canadian immigration questions submitted by our readers. Here are this month’s questions and answers:

I am visiting Canada multiple times in the next six months. How can I make sure that I get a multiple-entry visitor visa?

You must indicate on the Visit Visa application forms that you are applying for a multiple entry visa, and include the appropriate amount of Government Fees with your application. It is important to keep in mind that it is purely discretion of the Visa Officer that evaluates your application whether to approve a multiple entry or single entry visitor visa.

I plan to work in Canada for one year, but my passport will expire before that. Will I still receive a year-long work permit?

As a general rule, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) will not issue work permits that have a validity date that extends past the validity of the passport. You will need to apply for an extension of the work permit from within Canada once you have received the new passport with the longer validity.

How long can I get a Bridging Open Work Permit for? Is there a maximum time limit for this permit?

Bridging Work Permits will be issued with one year validity, with the expectation that the applicants Permanent Residence application is approved within that time frame. Should there be a delay in the issuance of the PR visa, then you will need to apply for an extension of the bridging work permit. CIC has not published any maximum time limits in relation to Bridging Work Permits.

After landing in the province I selected during my Permanent Residency application, how long must I wait before I can move to another Canadian province?

The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms gives Citizens and Permanent Residents of Canada the right to live and work anywhere in Canada. Once you land in Canada and become a Permanent Resident, you are legally entitled to move to any province. However, we recommend that you obtain legal advice to ensure that you do not have any contractual undertakings that prevent you from moving before taking any final decisions.

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